DNR releases 3D seismic images of Bayou Corne Sinkhole

David Blanchard and other residents received the latest update on the Bayou Corne sinkhole Tuesday from officials from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The affected residents have been under an evacuation order for 411 days.

"Where I'm staying at I cannot live there without paying bills for them and groceries and everything else," said Blanchard.

The presentation focused on the three-dimensional seismic profiles gathered by Texas Brine and interpreted by state officials.

"Anything that is remaining in the subsurface is going to be right up against the salt dome and that's what I think we found here and that gas up here is a really narrow window directly under the sinkhole," said one presenter.

DNR officials said the seismic images confirm what they already knew, that several areas of disturbance between the edge of the salt dome and the Texas Brine cavern resulted in the release of gasses and oils that caused the sinkhole.

Assumption Parish Police Jury President Martin Triche said for frustrated residents, the new information is not enough.

"I wish we could come here and scientists would tell us expect 'A, B or C' but that's not the case. We're just getting more and more of the same and it's all predictions," Triche explained.

"I know it's just a trailer. It's not a $400,000 house, but I love my little spot and I would love to have similar but it will never happen," added Blanchard.

The latest seismic data is now in the hands of the state's Blue Ribbon commission made up of global experts in the field of geology and dealing with salt domes and gasses. The commission will create new safety benchmarks for those affected by the sinkhole moving forward.

History of the sinkhole

The sinkhole opened up in August 2012 and was roughly 1/24 of the
size it is now. The sinkhole formed when an underground salt cavern
collapsed.

In the past, seismic activity is reported, then the sinkhole burps up
debris and then a slough-in happens. Burps occur when air and gas from
deep in the sinkhole bubbles up. It can cause debris and an oily
substance to float to the top. A slough-in is when the sinkhole swallows
trees and land that is on the edge of the sinkhole.

Berms were placed around the sinkhole shortly after it opened up to
keep the oily, debris filled water contained to the sinkhole area so it
would not contaminate the area bayous.

It has been a year since hundreds living near the giant sinkhole were forced from their homes.

Bubbles were spotted in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou in June 2012. Two
months later, the ground opened up and left what is now a 24-acre
sinkhole. Residents were evacuated and the most affected residents began
receiving weekly checks from Texas-Brine in the amount of $875 per
week. Texas Brine owns the salt cavern that collapsed, causing the
sinkhole.

On August 2, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell
announced the state will be suing Texas Brine for environmental damages
caused by the failed Texas Brine cavern.

Parish and Texas Brine officials agree the situation is far from
over. 3D seismic surveys show the sinkhole itself it beginning to slow
and stabilize, but the recovery is focused on another danger; natural
gas gathering underneath a nearby aquifer.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the area west of Grand Bayou along LA 70 is no longer under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders because of the sinkhole, with the exception of a residential area near Bayou Corne.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the area west of Grand Bayou along LA 70 is no longer under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders because of the sinkhole, with the exception of a residential area near Bayou Corne.

A public meeting will be held Thursday evening in White Castle to address safety concerns about a proposed project. Shintech Louisiana wants to start drilling another salt dome near the site of the sinkhole in Assumption Parish.

A public meeting will be held Thursday evening in White Castle to address safety concerns about a proposed project. Shintech Louisiana wants to start drilling another salt dome near the site of the sinkhole in Assumption Parish.

Blue area on map indicates area where evacuation orders have been lifted (Source: Assumption Parish Police Jury)

According to officials with the Assumption Parish Police Jury, the area east of Grand Bayou along Highway 70 that was once part of the mandatory and voluntary evacuation order from the Bayou Corne sinkhole has been removed from any evacuation orders.

According to officials with the Assumption Parish Police Jury, the area east of Grand Bayou along Highway 70 that was once part of the mandatory and voluntary evacuation order from the Bayou Corne sinkhole has been removed from any evacuation orders.

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